Method and apparatus for super resolution encoding

ABSTRACT

A method of designing a code book for super resolution encoding. The method includes, for example, via a processor, creating a first group of entries in the code book that includes a plurality of gray font values for encoding data; via the processor, creating a second group of entries in the code book that includes a set of values for each of the gray font values for decoding data; via the processor, creating a third group of entries in the code book that includes a pattern corresponding to each of the plurality of gray font values; and storing the code book in a database in communication with the processor.

BACKGROUND

The methods and systems illustrated herein in embodiments are relatedgenerally to the art of data compression. More specifically, methods andsystems will be described for compressing high or super resolution imagedata for storage and/or transmission. Embodiments will be described withreference to compressing high or super resolution image data associatedwith text or line art. However, embodiments may be beneficiallyimplemented in other data compression applications.

By way of background, advancements in the computational power of imageprocessors and the rendering resolution of marking engines have outpacedadvancements in data storage and transmission. That is, image processorsand image rendering devices or marking engines for achieving a givenimage quality and image throughput (e.g., pages per minute) arerelatively inexpensive when compared to the cost of data storage andtransmission components that would be required to support that givenimage quality and throughput. Nevertheless, it is desirable to achievethe benefits of high speed data processing and high resolution imagerendering.

For example, it is desirable to render text and line art, which caninclude curves and diagonal lines, with high or super resolution, suchas, for example, 1200, 2400 or 3600 spots per inch (spi), in order toreduce or avoid perceptible jaggedness or “jaggies” in the rendered orprinted text or line art.

In order to take full advantage of the jaggedness reducing aspects ofsuper or high resolution rendering, it is necessary for an image source,such as an image processor or Digital Front End (DFE) to perform high orsuper resolution digital image processing. For example, a DFE may rasterimage process (RIP) a Page Description Language (PDL) version of animage to a high or super resolution to provide for better edge positionestimation and to provide a reduction in perceived jaggedness in arendered version of the image.

However, a single page of high or super resolution (e.g., 2400 spi)binary or bit map color image data can require up to two gigabytes ormore of data storage and/or transmission. Furthermore, in productionprinting environments, it is common to render over 100 pages per minute.Therefore, the cost of providing storage and communication resourcesadequate to the task of super resolution data storage and transmissioncan be quite high.

Super Resolution Encoding (SRE) is one way of achieving high resolutionquality text and graphics. High resolution patterns are encoded as graypixel values at lower resolution and then decoded on the image outputterminal (IOT). In order to recover the original high resolutionpatterns, the gray values need to be preserved. Unfortunately verycomplex pages can require lossy compression, including lossy compressionof the gray values, resulting in completely different gray valuesdelivered to and rendered by the IOT.

The original SRE patterns were designed assuming lossless compression.The patterns are arranged in no particular order. In the case of 1200DPI, only the 16 possible values had a valid pattern with all other grayvalues having a blank pattern. This would result in drop outs as well aswrong patterns if compression or other alterations in the data pathchange the gray values.

In certain applications there can be lossy compression. Less complexpages avoid doing lossy compression on SRE objects, but in very complexpages the problem cannot be avoided, which can result in alteration ofthe SRE values. Other modules in the image path may also cause the valueto be changed.

Therefore, there is a desire for methods and systems for compressing orencoding high or super resolution image data while preserving thebeneficial aspects provided by high or super resolution image processingand rendering.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, a method of designing a code book for superresolution encoding is provided. The method may include, for example,via a processor, creating a first group of entries in the code book thatincludes a plurality of gray font values for encoding data; via theprocessor, creating a second group of entries in the code book thatincludes a set of values for each of the gray font values for decodingdata; via the processor, creating a third group of entries in the codebook that includes a pattern corresponding to each of the plurality ofgray font values; and storing the code book in a database incommunication with the processor. Optionally, the sets of values in thesecond group of entries may comprise evenly-spaced target patternsconfigured to encode value mapping. Further, spacing between the targetpatterns and the corresponding encode values may be optimized based onthe frequency of the occurrences, wherein the more often a targetpattern is selected, the wider space it is between its adjacent encodevalue.

In another embodiment, an image processing method is provided. Themethod may include, for example, receiving encode values at a decoder;and filling mappings from the received encode values to decode patternswith similar adjacent patterns, wherein if the received encode value isdistorted within a tolerance it will still be correctly decoded.

In yet another embodiment, a xerographic printing system is provided.The system may include, for example, an immutable decode book stored ina database; a decoder that receives encoding values; and a mappingfunction that is configured to map at least one of the received encodingvalues to an immutable code value in the immutable decode book.Alternatively, the mapping function may be implemented in the place of auser tone reproduction curve (TRC) or in place of a calibration tonereproduction curve (TRC).

In yet another embodiment, a method of encoding high resolution dataassociated with a relatively large number of bits to an encoded formhaving a relatively reduced number of bits is provided. The method mayinclude, for example, predefining a plurality of high-output-resolutionoutput patterns; associating respective high-output-resolution outputpatterns of the plurality with respective sets of consecutive encodedresolution bit patterns having the reduced number of bits; receiving ablock of high-input-resolution input data; determining a respectivedifference between a pattern of the received block ofhigh-input-resolution input data and each of the respectivehigh-output-resolution output patterns; selecting a respectivehigh-output-resolution output pattern associated with a lowestrespective difference to be a representative high-output-resolutionoutput pattern for the received block of high-input-resolution inputdata; and encoding the received block of high-input-resolution inputdata as a median member of the respective set of consecutive encodedresolution bit patterns having the reduced number of bits associatedwith the selected respective representative high-output-resolutionoutput pattern.

In yet another embodiment, a system for encoding data associated with arelatively large number of bits to an encoded form having a relativelyreduced number of bits is provided. The system may include, for example,a library of respective high-output-resolution output patternsassociated with respective sets of consecutive encoded resolution bitpatterns having the reduced number of bits; a data analyzer that isoperative to receive a block of high-input-resolution input data anddetermine a respective difference between a pattern of the receivedblock of high-input-resolution input data and each of the respectivehigh resolution output patterns; a block selector that is operative toselect a respective high-output-resolution output pattern associatedwith a lowest respective difference to be a representativehigh-output-resolution output pattern for the received block ofhigh-input-resolution input data; and an encoder that is operative toencode the received block of high-input-resolution input data as amedian member of the respective set of consecutive encoded resolutionbit pattern, having the reduced number of bits, associated with theselected respective representative high-output-resolution outputpattern, thereby generating an encoded block of data.

In yet another embodiment, a method of encoding input data having aninput resolution to an encoded form having an encoded resolution isprovided. The method may include, for example, predefining a pluralityof respective output-resolution output patterns; associating therespective output-resolution output patterns with respective sets ofconsecutive encoded resolution encoded patterns, wherein the encodedresolution is lower than both the input resolution and the outputresolution; receiving input-resolution input data; determining one of anumber bits that do not match between a bit pattern of theinput-resolution input data and a bit pattern of each respectiveoutput-resolution output pattern, a number of area portions that do notmatch between an area pattern of the input-resolution input data and anarea pattern of each respective output-resolution output pattern, a sumof magnitudes of differences, a sum of squares of differences and a rootmean square of differences between respective contone, multi-gray levelor quantization values of the received block of input-resolution inputdata and respective contone, multi-gray level, or high-addressablequantization values of each output-resolution output pattern, therebydetermining a respective difference between a pattern of theinput-resolution input data and each of the respective output-resolutionoutput patterns; selecting a respective output-resolution output patternassociated with a lowest respective difference to be a representativeoutput-resolution output pattern for the input-resolution input data;and encoding the input-resolution input data as a median member of therespective sets of consecutive encoded resolution encoded patternassociated with the selected respective output-resolution outputpattern.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 includes a depiction of an image area in relation to severaldifferent respective spot sizes associated with several differentrespective image rendering resolutions;

FIG. 2 includes a depiction of an image area associated with a portionof an image of text at two different image resolutions;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart outlining a method for encoding data;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an illustrative system that is operative toperform data encoding according to embodiments of the method of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the super resolution encoding/decodingpath;

FIG. 6 shows the 1200 dpi decode patterns;

FIG. 7 shows an example of a decoded image;

FIG. 8 shows one embodiment of a set of robust super resolution encodingscreens;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a robust encoding/decoding scheme inaccordance with aspects of the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a set of robust super resolutionencoding screens;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an alternative robustencoding/decoding scheme using a TRC; and

FIG. 12 shows a mapping function that could be used in place of a TRC inFIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For a general understanding of the present disclosure, reference is madeto the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been usedthroughout to designate identical elements. In describing the presentdisclosure, the following term(s) have been used in the description.

The term “data” refers herein to physical signals that indicate orinclude information. When an item of data can indicate one of a numberof possible alternatives, the item of data has one of a number of“values.” The term “data” includes data existing in any physical form,and includes data that are being stored or transmitted. An “image” is apattern of physical light. An image may include characters, words, andtext as well as other features such as graphics. An image may be dividedinto “segments,” each of which is itself an image. A segment of an imagemay be of any size up to and including the whole image.

A “pixel” is the smallest segment or region into which an image isdivided in a given system.

A “memory” or “storage medium” is a physical medium that can store data.Examples of data storage media include magnetic media such as hard andfloppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as laser disks andCD-ROMs; and semiconductor media such as semiconductor ROMs and RAMs.

An operation “encodes” or “compresses” items of data, when performingthe operation on the items of data produces different items of data fromwhich the encoded or compressed data items can subsequently berecovered. The operation that recovers the encoded or compressed dataitems is “decoding” or “decompressing.” When the operation is “lossy”,the decoding or decompressing operation only recovers data that isapproximately the same as the original data.

An “image output terminal” (IOT) is a device that can receive an item ofdata defining an image and provide the image as output. A “display” isan image output device that provides the output image in human viewableform and a “printer” is an image output device that renders the image ona substrate in human viewable form. The visible pattern presented by adisplay is a “displayed image” or simply “image.”

Referring to FIG. 1, an image area 110 can be associated with markingspots of different sizes or pitch. For example, a 600 spot per inch(spi) 112 rendering resolution is common. However, the 600 spiresolution 112 is associated with limited image quality. For instance,at 600 spi resolution 112, the image area 110 must either be completelymarked (e.g., associated with the value 1) or unmarked (e.g., associatedwith the value 0). If the marking resolution is increased, additionaldetail can be provided. For instance, at a 1200 spi resolution 116, theimage area 110 is associated with 4 markable spot positions 118, 120,122, 123. Each of the 4 spot positions can be marked or unmarked. Thismeans that at 1200 spi resolution 116, the image area 110 can represent5 shades of gray (completely marked, completely unmarked, or 1, 2 or 3sub areas marked). Additionally, the sub areas can be marked with 14different spatial orientations or patterns for a total of 16 possiblepatterns in the image area 110. At a 2400 spi resolution 124, the imagearea 110 is associated with 16 spot or marking areas 125-140, and theimage area can represent 17 shades of gray or lightness. Additionally,marks can be distributed over the image area 110 in over 65,500 patternsor arrangements of marked or unmarked spots. At 3600 spi resolution 144,the image area 110 is associated with 36 markable spots, which can beassociated with 37 shades of gray or lightness and over 68 billionarrangements of marked and unmarked spots or patterns.

The increase in the number of markable patterns associated with anincrease in marking resolution can provide an increase in image quality.For instance, a sharpness with which text and line art can be renderedis increased with increasing marking resolution.

For example, referring to FIG. 2, an intersection 214, 218 of a verticalline and two diagonal lines is rendered with increased precision and adecrease in perceptible jaggedness at 1200 spi resolution 222 ascompared to the rendering possible at 600 spi resolution 224. Furtherimage improvements are possible when rendering is carried out at evenhigher resolutions (e.g., 2400 spi, 3600 spi). However, as indicatedabove, storing and communicating high or super high resolution data canbe prohibitively expensive.

Referring to FIG. 3, a method 310 for encoding high resolution dataassociated with a relatively large number of bits to an encoded form(that can be reasonably stored and communicated) having a relativelyreduced number of bits can include predefining 314 a plurality ofhigh-output-resolution output patterns, associating 318 respectivehigh-output-resolution output patterns with respective encoded (lower)resolution bit patterns, receiving 322 a block of high-input-resolutioninput data, determining 326 a respective difference between a pattern ofthe block of high input data and each of the respectivehigh-output-resolution output patterns, and selecting 330 a respectivehigh-output-resolution output pattern associated with a lowestdifference to be a representative high-output-resolution output patternfor the received block of high-input-resolution input data and encoding334 the received block of high-input-resolution input data as therespective encoded resolution bit pattern associated 318 with theselected respective high-output-resolution output pattern.

Predefining 314 a plurality of high-output-resolution output patternscan include identifying important high resolution output patterns. Forinstance, the importance of an output pattern may be related to thefrequency with which the output pattern would be used. A test image canbe divided into blocks and statistically analyzed to determine afrequency of occurrence of various block patterns. Identified patternsthat occur most frequently, as determined through the statisticalanalysis, can be identified or labeled as most important outputpatterns. Additionally, or alternatively, other factors may beconsidered when predetermining 314 the plurality ofhigh-output-resolution output patterns.

For instance, output patterns most likely to benefit from highresolution rendering, such as, for example, patterns associated withdiagonal lines and curves may be included in the predefined 314plurality of high-output-resolution output patterns. Additionally, oralternatively, output patterns that exhibit a high level of compactnessand, therefore, a high level of renderability, may be included in thepredetermined 314 plurality of high-output-resolution output patterns.

The number of high resolution output patterns included in the predefined314 plurality may be a function of the number of bits to be included inthe encoded resolution bit pattern. For example, where it is desired toencode blocks of 16 bits of 2400 spi data or blocks of 36 bits of 3600spi data with 8 bits of encoded or low resolution data, there may be 256high-output-resolution output patterns in the predefined 314 plurality.That is, of the over 65,500 possible patterns at 2400 spi or the over 68billion patterns available at 3600 spi, 256 patterns would be includedin the predefined 314 plurality if it is desired to encode such patternswith just 8 bits.

For instance, associating 318 respective high-output-resolution outputpatterns with respective encoded resolution bit patterns can include asimple random assignment or enumeration of the plurality of predefined314 output patterns. For instance, each of the output-resolution outputpatterns of the predefined 314 plurality can be assigned a number from 0to 255 in some arbitrary manner. Alternatively, as will be illustratedbelow, each output-resolution output pattern in the predefined 314plurality can be associated with a low or encoded resolution patternthat represents the high resolution output pattern.

Receiving 322 a block of high-input-resolution input data can includereceiving a block of data at any resolution for which storage ortransmission at a lower resolution is desired. In this regard, thephrase—high input resolution—refers to any resolution higher than theencoded resolution. Similarly, the phrase—high output resolution—refersto any resolution higher than the encoded resolution. The input andoutput resolutions may be the same or different. The received 322 inputdata can be a portion of a binary bit map (e.g., FIG. 1, FIG. 2) or aswill be explained in greater detail below, can include contone,multi-gray level or high-addressable data indicating levels of gray orlightness beyond the two levels represented by binary data. The received322 input data may be associated with one or more tags indicating, forexample, that the data is related to text and/or line art, or a portionof an image for which high resolution rendering is desired.

Referring to FIG. 4, a system 410 that is operative to encode dataassociated with a relatively large number of bits to an encoded formhaving relatively reduced number of bits can include a library 414 ofrespective high-output-resolution output patterns associated 318 withrespective encoded resolution bit patterns having the reduced number ofbits. Additionally, the system 410 can include a data analyzer 418, ablock selector 422 and an encoder 426. For instance, the data analyzer418 may be operative to receive 322 a block 430 of high-input-resolutioninput data and determine 326 a respective difference between a patternof the received 322 block of high-input-resolution input data and eachof the respective high resolution output patterns of the library 414.The block selector 422 may be operative to select 330 a respectivehigh-output-resolution output pattern from the library 414. Forinstance, the block selector 422 is operative to select 330 therespective high-output-resolution output pattern associated with thelowest difference as determined 326 by the data analyzer 418. The blockselector 422 selects 330 the output pattern associated with the lowestrespective difference to be a representative high-output-resolutionoutput pattern for the received 322 block of high-input-res

The encoder 426 may be operative to encode 334 the received 322 block ofhigh-input-resolution input data as the respective encoded resolutionbit pattern associated 318 with the respective representativehigh-output-resolution output pattern selected 330 by the block selector422.

For instance, the block 430 of input data may be a block of image dataand the system 410 may include or be associated with a rendering device(or image output terminal) 440. For instance, the rendering device 440may be a display device or a marking engine, such as, for example, anink jet, xerographic or electrophotographic marking engine or printer.For instance, the encoder 426 encodes 334 the received 322 block 430 ofdata prior to storing or transmitting the data in association with arendering process of the rendering device 440.

The data analyzer 418, block selector 422 and encoder 426 can beimplemented in various combinations of hardware and software. The outputpattern library 414 can be implemented in any computer storage mediumincluding, but not limited to, rotating media, such as magnetic harddrives, optical disks and floppy disks. Additionally, or alternatively,the library 414 can be implemented in programmed or configured memorydevices, such as read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM),programmable read only memory (PROM), electrically erasable programmableread only memory (EEPROM) and FLASH memory.

The data analyzer 418 can be operative to determine 326 the respectivedifference by any of the techniques described above with reference toFIG. 3 including, but not limited to, by determining a number of bitsthat do not match between a bit pattern of the block ofhigh-input-resolution input data and a bit pattern of each respectivehigh-output-resolution output pattern, determining a sum of magnitudesof differences, a sum of squares of differences and a root-mean squareof differences between respective contone, multi-gray level orhigh-addressable quantization values of the received 322 block 430 ofhigh-input-resolution input data and respective contone, multi-graylevel or high-addressable quantization values of each respectivehigh-output-resolution output pattern, and by determining area portionsthat do not match between an area pattern of the received 322 block 430of high-input-resolution input data and area patterns of each respectivehigh-output-resolution output pattern.

The block selector 422 may be operative to select the respectiveoutput-resolution output pattern by any of the techniques describedabove with reference to FIG. 3 including, but not limited to, selectingan output-resolution output pattern associated with a lowest respectivedifference or associated with a lowest respective difference and a mostfavorable rating in a second characteristic, such as, for example, amost favorable or highest level of compactness or highest degree ofclustering.

Thus, Super Resolution Encoding (or SRE) as described above is a way ofencoding a bit pattern in higher resolution into a Gray value (calledGray Font). Similar to Anti-Aliasing, objects are rendered at a higherresolution. The main difference is that for Anti-Aliasing we areaveraging the pixel values at the higher resolution to create new grayvalues. These values are typically half-toned at the image outputterminal (or IOT) when printing. For SRE the system is encoding highresolution pixel patterns into gray values instead of averaging. Aspecial tag is added to tell the IOT that the pixel is an encoded GrayFont value. The IOT will decode the tag and SRE to recreate the originalpattern in high resolution.

FIG. 5 shows the basic concept behind SRE. In particular, FIG. 5 showsthe Super Resolution Encoding/Decoding path 500. Initially, a highresolution input pattern 502 is encoded via an encoder 504. Adisturbance 506 can be caused by compression. If the disturbance is 0,then the IOT 508 will receive the encoded gray font value (e.g., 192)precisely, and it will correctly decode the desired output pattern 510.If the disturbance is non-zero, e.g. −3, the IOT 508 will try to decodethe adjusted gray font value (e.g., 189) and consequently produce apotentially inappropriate pattern. If the inappropriate pattern happensto be a blank pattern and the input pattern has a non-blank pattern, itcould be perceived as a “dropout”.

Gray Font/SRE patterns/screens may be defined at resolutions of 1200 DPIand 2400 DPI, for example. For 2400 DPI SRE there are 16 high resolutionpixels for each gray pixel in 600 DPI. There are 2¹⁶ possible patterns,but only a maximum of 256 patterns can be encoded in an 8 bit grayvalue. The 256 most common patterns may be chosen. These are thepatterns that are used to define, or approximate, the edges of text andgraphics with the observation that patterns containing scattered dotsare not found often in common text and graphics. For 2400 SRE, somepattern matching needs to be done to choose the closest possible GrayFont pattern if the desired pattern is not part of 256 patterns. In thecase of 1200 SRE there is always an exact match, since there are only 16possible patterns (2⁴).

FIG. 6 shows an example of a full Gray Font mapping for a possible 16patterns in 1200 SRE. The first column (610) lists video data that havebeen encoded for any input patterns, while the next column (620) lists acorresponding decode pattern for the video data. By way of example, eachof the values shown (0, 62, 63, 64, 65, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130,190, 191, 192, 193, 255) has a corresponding pattern. It is to beunderstood, however, that one or more other values and/or patterns maybe used. Each 600 dpi pixel is shown as a 4×4 block 630. Note that theaddressable pixel size is 1200 dpi, shown as a 2×2 block 640. Further,1200 SRE Gray Font Patterns and Encodings can be different than 2400SRE. The IOT specifications would typically show the complete patternset.

In general, the video data in FIG. 6 is what has been encoded; themapping from input pattern to the encoded value is typically many toone. The decoding or the process of mapping from the encoded value tothe decoded pattern is also many to one, although in FIG. 6 it shows 16one-to-one mapping or decoding pairs, and one 239-to-one mapping for theblank pattern. This encoding/decoding look-up-table is generallyreferred to as the “code book.”

With reference to the example in FIG. 7, where a bitmap of letter “a” isbeing encoded, one can see that any change due to lossy compression inthe encoded Gray Font value (e.g., Video Data 710) will generally resultin a decoded image 720 with a completely different pattern. A blankpattern is produced if the encoded Gray Font value changes to anythingother than one of the 16 values, which typically causes dropouts for theimpacted pixels and thus results in an undesired artifact.

It is possible to design a better code book by programming the 256patterns. This provides a way to solve both problems for the 1200 SRE.By spacing the Gray Font values and replicating the pattern around theGray Font values, gaps can be filled in and there is some margin in thecase that some variation of gray value occurs due to lossy compression.In other words, if the encoded Gray Font value changes by a certainmargin but stays within the replicated range, the correct pattern willstill be produced. Utilizing all 256 entries for decoding solves theproblem of dropouts.

FIG. 8 shows three different columns of the code book: a first column810 includes the 16 gray font value used for encoding (e.g., 0, 17, 34,51, 68, 85, 102, 119, 136, 153, 170, 187, 204, 221, 238, 255), a secondcolumn 820 includes the 16 corresponding sets of values used fordecoding (e.g., 0-8, 9-25, 26-42, 43-59, 60-76, 77-93, 94-110, 111-127,128-144, 145-161, 162-178, 179-195, 196-212, 213-229, 230-246, 247-255),and a third column includes the 16 corresponding patterns. It is to beunderstood, however, that one or more other values and/or ranges ofvalues may be used. Each 600 dpi pixel is shown as a 4×4 block 830. Notethat the addressable pixel size is 1200 dpi, shown as a 2×2 block 840.It is also noted that the same 16 patterns as in FIG. 6 for 1200 SRE areshown, but this time the encoded Gray Font values are evenly spaced.Likewise, one or more other types of patterns may be used. An EncodedGray Font value is used in the raster image processor (RIP) to specifywhat pattern to use for a specific pixel. Thus, for each decoded valuethere is a corresponding pattern, and there are no drop-outs caused bythe blank pattern for undefined code values. In addition, as long as thevariation or disturbance in the imaging path (possibly caused bycompression) is within a range, the decoded pattern will still be thesame as what was intended.

FIG. 9 shows a Super Resolution Encoding/Decoding path 900 in accordancewith aspects of the exemplary embodiment. Initially, an input pattern902 is encoded based on the new code book via an encoder 904. Asexplained earlier, a disturbance 906 can be caused by compression. Whenthe IOT 908 receives a value other than those 16 encoded values (e.g.,0, 17, 34, 51, 68, 85, 102, 119, 136, 153, 170, 187, 204, 221, 238,255), there is still a reasonable pattern corresponding to it. That is,the IOT 908 decodes the gray value and produces an output pattern 910based on the new code book. Although an evenly spaced method isdescribed here, it is possible to use a non-evenly spaced code bookbased on the compression, disturbance characteristics, and how common oruncommon certain patterns are, among other things.

Alternatively, the encoded values may be spaced out so that between anytwo values there is some margin in case some variation of gray valuehappens due to lossy compression. By way of example, FIG. 10 shows analternative code book with four different columns: a first column 1010includes the 16 encoded gray font value (e.g., 0, 17, 34, 51, 68, 85,102, 119, 136, 153, 170, 187, 204, 221, 238, 255), a second column 1015includes ranges of possible values that may be received at the decoder(e.g., 0-8, 9-25, 26-42, 43-59, 60-76, 77-93, 94-110, 111-127, 128-144,145-161, 162-178, 179-195, 196-212, 213-229, 230-246, 247-255), a thirdcolumn 1020 includes the 16 corresponding values from an immutabledecode book (e.g., 0, 62, 63, 64, 65, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 190,191, 192, 193, 255), and a fourth column includes the 16 correspondingpatterns. It is to be understood, however, that one or more other valuesand/or ranges of values may be used. Each 600 dpi pixel is shown as a4×4 block 1035. Note that the addressable pixel size is 1200 dpi, shownas a 2×2 block 1040. Likewise, one or more other types of patterns maybe used. However, this time the encoded Gray Font values are evenlyspaced and different from the values in the decode book. Although theevenly spaced method is described here, it is also possible to use anon-evenly spaced code book based on the compression, disturbancecharacteristics, and how common or uncommon certain patterns are. Notethat an immutable decode book is dealt with here. This is because, forexample, the decode book may have been implemented by the printervendor, and in that case it cannot be changed.

Mapping the range of SRE values with added disturbance to specificvalues may be performed by applying a tone reproduction curve (TRC)rather than having a replicated SRE pattern in the IOT. By mappingmultiple values to the same predefined value, it is possible to removethe drop-out issue and improper changing of SRE values for most cases.In this regard, an alternative embodiment involves the use of tonereproduction curves (TRCs). Therefore, a brief discussion of TRCs is setforth below.

It is well known that marking devices provide native or machineresolution corresponding to the physical dots or pixels of toner, ink,or other marking material that are marked on a sheet of paper or othermedia sheet. The marking densities, or the amount of marking material ineach physical dot, or similar marking characteristics are impacted byvarious physical parameters of the marking process. The controls thatdetermine these physical parameters are sometimes referred to asactuators.

In halftone marking, a binary “on/off” paradigm is employed for markingpixels. Relatively darker regions have a relatively higher density ofmarked pixels as compared to lighter regions. In one approach, thepixels of the marked area are delineated into halftone cells, which arealso sometimes referred to as “halftone dots”. Each pixel of a halftonecell or dot is assigned a threshold level. Whether a given pixel is “on”or “off” is determined by comparing the threshold level of that halftonepixel with a density level intended for that pixel. The thresholds areselected such that, for a uniform density level across the halftone dot,the fraction of “on” pixels is visually perceived as an average densitycorresponding to the desired uniform density level. A halftone dotrepresented by pixel thresholds is referred to as a halftone screen.

The fraction of pixels that are on determines the effective or averagedensity. The distribution of those pixels within the halftone dot (or,correspondingly, the distribution of thresholds within the halftonescreen) can impact the image quality. The target or nominal densitycurve is suitably represented by an array of values, in unitsappropriate to the sensor, with a discrete value for each printablelevel. A typical printing system might have 256 (8-bit) or 1024 (10-bit)distinct printable density levels. The thresholds of the halftone screenare selected such that, ideally, a density level represented by a valuein the range 0-255 (assuming 8-bit representation), when mapped as auniform density to halftone and marked by the marking device, appearsvisually to be at the nominal density value. The relationship betweenthe actual densities provided by the marked halftone dots for uniformpatches of the printable density levels is sometimes referred to as thetone reproduction curve (or TRC). Ideally, the TRC should be linear witha slope of unity. This gives the minimum step size between any twoadjacent levels, resulting in a smooth visual response. This idealresponse has also been incorporated in existing standards for offsetprinting of digital images which are used in customer image processingapplications.

FIG. 11 shows an alternative Super Resolution Encoding/Decoding path1100 in accordance with other aspects of the exemplary embodiment.Initially, an input pattern 1102 is encoded based on the new code bookvia an encoder 1104. As explained earlier, a disturbance 1106 can becaused by compression. In this case, a TRC 1108 may be added to thepath. When the IOT 1108 receives a value other than one of the 16encoded values (e.g., 0, 17, 34, 51, 68, 85, 102, 119, 136, 153, 170,187, 204, 221, 238, 255), there is still a reasonable patterncorresponding to it. That is, the IOT 1110 decodes the gray value andproduces an output pattern 1112 based on the new code book or a specialTRC.

FIG. 12 shows a mapping function 1200 that could be used in place of aTRC for robust SRE when SRE code is pre-defined. This mapping functionmaps the distorted encoded values to one of the predefined code that theprint engine expects through the immutable decode book.

The functions of the various elements shown in the figures, includingany functional blocks labeled as “processors,” may be provided throughthe use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executingsoftware in association with appropriate software. When provided by aprocessor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicatedprocessor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individualprocessors, some of which may be shared. Moreover, explicit use of theterm “processor” or “controller” should not be construed to referexclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and mayimplicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP)hardware, network processor, application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), read only memory (ROM) forstoring software, random access memory (RAM), and non-volatile storage.Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also be included.

A person of skill in the art would readily recognize that steps ofvarious above-described methods can be performed by programmedcomputers. Herein, some embodiments are also intended to cover programstorage devices, e.g., digital data storage media, which are machine orcomputer readable and encode machine-executable or computer-executableprograms of instructions, wherein said instructions perform some or allof the steps of the above-described methods. The program storage devicesmay be, e.g., digital memories, magnetic storage media such as amagnetic disks and magnetic tapes, hard drives, or optically readabledigital data storage media. The embodiments are also intended to covercomputers programmed to perform the steps of the above-describedmethods.

Further, the exemplary embodiments may be implemented in a computerprogram product that may be executed on a computing device. The computerprogram product may be a non-transitory computer-readable recordingmedium on which a control program is recorded, such as a disk, harddrive, or may be a transmittable carrier wave in which the controlprogram is embodied as a data signal. Common forms of computer-readablemedia include, for example, floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks,magnetic tape, or any other magnetic storage medium, CD-ROM, DVD, or anyother optical medium, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, or othermemory chip or cartridge, transmission media, such as acoustic or lightwaves, such as those generated during radio wave and infrared datacommunications, and the like, or any other medium from which a computercan read and use.

It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and otherfeatures and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined intomany other different systems or applications. Various presentlyunforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations orimprovements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in theart which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of designing a code book for superresolution encoding, the method comprising: via a processor, creating afirst group of entries in the code book that includes a plurality ofgray font values for encoding data; via the processor, creating a secondgroup of entries in the code book that includes a set of values for eachof the gray font values for decoding data; via the processor, creating athird group of entries in the code book that includes a patterncorresponding to each of the plurality of gray font values; and storingthe code book in a database in communication with the processor.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the sets of values in the second group ofentries comprise evenly-spaced target patterns configured to encodevalue mapping.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein spacing between thetarget patterns and the corresponding encode values is optimized basedon the frequency of the occurrences, wherein the more often a targetpattern is selected, the wider the space between an adjacent encodevalue.
 4. An image processing method comprising: receiving encode valuesat a decoder, wherein the decoder includes a set of decode patterns; andfilling mappings from the received encode values to decode patterns withsimilar adjacent patterns, wherein if the received encode value isdistorted within a given tolerance it will still be correctly decoded.5. A xerographic printing system comprising: an immutable decode bookstored in a database; a decoder that receives encoding values; and amapping function that is configured to map at least one of the receivedencoding values to an immutable code value in the immutable decode book.6. The system of claim 5 wherein the mapping function is implemented inthe place of a user tone reproduction curve (TRC).
 7. The system ofclaim 5 wherein the mapping function is implemented in the place of acalibration tone reproduction curve (TRC).
 8. The system of claim 5further comprising: a rendering device that is operative to render animage portion according to a decoded block of data.
 9. The system ofclaim 8 wherein the rendering device comprises: a xerographic printengine.
 10. A method of encoding high resolution data associated with arelatively large number of bits to an encoded form having a relativelyreduced number of bits, the method comprising: predefining a pluralityof high-output-resolution output patterns; associating respectivehigh-output-resolution output patterns of the plurality with respectivesets of consecutive encoded resolution bit patterns having the reducednumber of bits; receiving a block of high-input-resolution input data;determining a respective difference between a pattern of the receivedblock of high-input-resolution input data and each of the respectivehigh-output-resolution output patterns; selecting a respectivehigh-output-resolution output pattern associated with a lowestrespective difference to be a representative high-output-resolutionoutput pattern for the received block of high-input-resolution inputdata; and encoding the received block of high-input-resolution inputdata as a median member of the respective set of consecutive encodedresolution bit patterns having the reduced number of bits associatedwith the selected respective representative high-output-resolutionoutput pattern.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein determining adifference between a pattern of the received block ofhigh-input-resolution input data and each of the respectivehigh-output-resolution output patterns comprises: determining a numberbits that do not match between a bit pattern of the received block ofhigh-input-resolution input data and a bit pattern of each respectivehigh-output-resolution output pattern.
 12. The method of claim 10wherein determining a difference between a pattern of the received blockof high-input-resolution input data and each of the respectivehigh-output-resolution output patterns comprises: determining one of asum of magnitudes of differences, a sum of squares of differences and aroot mean square of differences between respective contone, multi-graylevel or high-addressable quantization values of the received block ofhigh-input-resolution input data and respective gray level orquantization values of each respective high-output-resolution outputpattern.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein determining a differencebetween a pattern of the received block of high-input-resolution inputdata and each of the respective high-output-resolution output patternscomprises: determining a number of area portions that do not matchbetween an area pattern of the received block of high-input-resolutioninput data and an area pattern of each respective high-output-resolutionoutput pattern.
 14. The method of claim 10 wherein selecting arespective high-output-resolution output pattern comprises: selecting arespective high-output-resolution output pattern associated with thelowest respective difference and a most favorable rating in a secondcharacteristic to be the representative high resolution pattern for thereceived block of high-input-resolution input data.
 15. The method ofclaim 14 wherein selecting a respective high-output-resolution outputpattern associated with the lowest respective difference and the mostfavorable rating in a second characteristic comprises: selecting arespective high-output-resolution output pattern associated with thelowest respective difference and a highest level of compactness.
 16. Themethod of claim 10 wherein predefining a plurality ofhigh-output-resolution output patterns comprises: identifying importantoutput patterns; and selecting a number of the important output patternscorresponding to a number of unique bit patterns possible using thereduced number of bits.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein identifyingthe important output patterns comprises: statistically analyzing blocksof a test image to determine a frequency of occurrence of patterns; andidentifying patterns that occur most frequently based on the statisticalanalysis.
 18. A system for encoding data associated with a relativelylarge number of bits to an encoded form having a relatively reducednumber of bits, the system comprising: a library of respectivehigh-output-resolution output patterns associated with respective setsof consecutive encoded resolution bit patterns having the reduced numberof bits; a data analyzer that is operative to receive a block ofhigh-input-resolution input data and determine a respective differencebetween a pattern of the received block of high-input-resolution inputdata and each of the respective high resolution output patterns; a blockselector that is operative to select a respective high-output-resolutionoutput pattern associated with a lowest respective difference to be arepresentative high-output-resolution output pattern for the receivedblock of high-input-resolution input data; and an encoder that isoperative to encode the received block of high-input-resolution inputdata as a median member of the respective set of consecutive encodedresolution bit pattern, having the reduced number of bits, associatedwith the selected respective representative high-output-resolutionoutput pattern, thereby generating an encoded block of data.
 19. Thesystem of claim 18 further comprising: a rendering device that isoperative to receive the encoded block of data, decode the encoded blockof data, thereby generating a decoded block of data and render an imageportion according to the decoded block of data.
 20. The system of claim19 wherein the rendering device comprises: a xerographic print engine.